Welcome to my Garden Blog

Nature: wild & untouched. Photographing it, preserving it, taking walks and drinking in the landscapes as they unfold.

Gardens: touched by loving hands. Cultivated, nurtured. Drinking in those landscapes is wonderful, as well.

In my garden one enjoys some of both. Generally unpruned & wild, my plants reshape the garden as they grow.

Beyond the garden borders, natives from the Santa Monica Mtns await. Oak trees with their shady canopies. Cactus & Sage in the sun.

Always there are animal creatures to join in the fun.

I look forward to sharing some of my experiences with you as they unfold.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

March: Mountain Lilacs in the Canyon

                                                Ceanothus oliganthus, by Kathy Vilim

What does my world look like today? Well, Topanga Canyon is very green.. St. Patty's Day Green, in fact.  Yet for much of the country, still dealing with the last snows, that is hard to embrace.  Besides the green grasses growing everywhere, there are Mountain Lilacs blooming (Ceanothus oliganthus), pale blue or white blooms that cover the hillsides, imparting an undulating softness.  I photograph them, hoping I do them justice.


A coyote barks into the night. There have been lots of them lately.  This morning I was delighted to see a deer in my back yard!  She jumped effortlessly over my picnic table on her way down the path from my house.  A rare sight when you are a few miles from Los Angeles.  I wanted to leave water out for her.. but wouldn't that be an ambush with coyotes in town?  It is hard to know sometimes how to help wildlife.  I decided to let nature decide that one.

A toad croaks.. crickets.. butterflies appear.. all sure signs of Spring! The Sycamore trees and the Walnut trees both putting out new fresh green soft leaves.. Even in Topanga where the Seasons pass with the blink of the eye, there are gentle signs of Spring.
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6 comments:

  1. Rob MooreMarch 12, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Such a beautiful area you live in NG, would love to get out your way for a hike someday...maybe redrock canyon!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Native GardenerMarch 12, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    Thank you for commenting. It is truly a special place here. I know you'd love RedRock.. Great for hiking!

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  3. Desert DwellerMarch 12, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    How nice! I remember seeing Ceanothus for the first time on some back roads, near where I used to live in San Diego, and thought, "the chaparral came alive today". Thanks for sharing.

    I'm glad I found your blog, and I'll have to look through more of it.

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  4. Native GardenerMarch 13, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    Desert Dweller, I'm glad you enjoyed the post. It says Spring to me when the Ceanothus cover the hills with their soft blue & white blooms. Hope you get to read more of my blog, too.

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  5. CarolMarch 30, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    Hello Kathy, I am glad to have found your blog from Carole's. Your world looks magical Gorgeous Mountain Lilacs! I love the sounds you write about too. I have coyotes too and deer so I understand you concern. I look forward to exploring your blog.

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  6. Native GardenerMarch 30, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    Thank you so much, Carol. It is wonderful to be able to share my canyon world. I am glad you enjoy the sights & sounds I write about. I will check out your blogs, too. So far, I have just seen yr handsome Opossum :-)

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Wildflowers, Santa Monica Mtns

Wildflowers, Santa Monica Mtns